Intense clashes broke out in the center of Dublin, Ireland, between police and “far-right” protesters on Thursday following a knife attack that resulted in three children being injured, one in critical condition, as well as two adults, one of whom is a teacher in her 30s, according to foreign media.
Tensions were seemingly sparked by the arrest of a man in his 50s, whose nationality was not disclosed by the police, for the stabbing incident in Parnell Square.
A video posted on social media shows a group of individuals fighting with officers and setting fire to a police car. In the video, a man can be seen waving a sign reading, “Irish Lives Matter,” and several protesters can be heard chanting anti-immigrant slogans such as “Get them out.”
Irish police arrested 34 people after the riots, with Police Commissioner Drew Harris describing the rioters as a “lunatic hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology.”
During a press conference, Commissioner Harris revealed the extent of the “huge destruction” caused by the “riotous mob,” that damaged vehicles, and looted shops including a major department store.
“Four buses and one tram were destroyed, and 11 police vehicles damaged,” he said.
A police officer was severely injured, and several other policemen were hurt after the crowd hurled projectiles at them.
Despite the violence, Irish police stated they weren’t considering terrorism as a motive. “We cannot allow the city to be given over to the thugs, the looters and the arsonists,” Commissioner Harris said.
Ongoing protests in Ireland in solidarity with Palestine have been escalating since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. Last Saturday, thousands marched through Dublin, demanding a Gaza ceasefire.
Organized by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the protests involved various political groups and culminated in a sit-in at the Department of Foreign Affairs, where protesters threw red paint, symbolizing Palestinian blood on the government’s hands. The incident added another layer of tension to an already troubled city.